Here's an example of a content block from an app called Receiptful that generates a unique coupon code for each customer that makes a purchase:

Even if the discount is something as small as 5%, or $1 off their next order, savings are savings—and in the mind of a consumer, any savings are good.

Another thing to consider about coupons as a promotional tool, is that they have multiple uses. You can use them to:

Track sales for online and offline marketing campaigns

Offer time-sensitive discounts to incentivize another purchase

Include them on your physical retail receipts

Additional resources: Learn more about the discount code engine in ShopifyUse Receiptful to add content cards and upsells in your order confirmation emails

3. Promote Your Social Media Accounts to Keep Customers Informed

A study by MarketingProfs shows that more than two-thirds of business leaders plan to integrate social media within their email marketing efforts.

So why aren't you?

Simply include links to your social accounts in either the footer, or in a content card on your email receipt template.

Here's an example of how The North Face includes their social accounts in their email receipt templates:

While it is a fairly basic way to use a receipt email—there are other opportunities around social media here as well.

Some ideas are:

Share with 10 friends and get 10% off your next order

Every time you refer a friend, you get $1 off your next order

Every time you refer a friend and they make a purchase, your next order is free

The number of different variations goes on, so consider testing a few different strategies to see which ones stick and generate sales and high engagement.

Additional resources: Use an app like Referral Candy to setup a referral campaignTry using a service like S Loyalty to create a loyalty program for your customers

4. Get Immediate Feedback from Paying Customers

You can get immediate, valuable feedback from paying customers using email receipts. Retail stores and restaurants have been doing this for a long time. Often, they'll include a contest entry by completing a feedback survey. You can do the same for your online store.

This will give you some insight into the purchasing flow for your store, as well as any pain points a customer may have experienced during the checkout process.

Take a look at this email that solicits feedback from customers of Warby Parker:

Here are some questions that might be worth including to get some feedback from your customers:

How did they feel about the overall purchasing process?

Did they feel the product was fairly priced?

How did they find your store?

When do they expect the product to be delivered?

How can you improve your checkout flow?

Additional resources: Use follow-up emails to ask for feedback from paying customersTry using an abandoned cart feature to retain customers, and ask for feedback as to why they didn't complete their checkout

5. Have Customers Share Their Purchase on Facebook

Shopping makes anyone feel good. Research shows that shopping activates key areas of the brain, which boosts moods and triggers the release of brain chemicals that give you a "shopping high".

Using email receipts, you can take advantage of that brief moment when dopamine is released into the brain.

Try to encourage customers to share their purchase on Facebook when they're still feeling excited and have a "shopping high".

Here's an example of what this might look like from the team at AddShoppers:

In a previous post, we discovered how powerful referral campaigns are. By including this in your email receipt, you're making it easier for customers to refer their friends.